BILLINGS – Longtime restaurant owners Stella and Ziggy Ziegler announced this week they will sell their restaurant after 40 years.
Stella’s Kitchen & Bakery has been a staple in the downtown community for years in large part due to the iconic duo: Stella and Ziggy.
“It goes by really fast,” Stella said Friday. “It really does.”
The two are finally ready to get out of the restaurant business and head into a well-deserved retirement.
“It’s just time,” said Stella. “I’m 80, Zig is 85. It’s time.”
The Zieglers have children living all over the country who are excited to spend more time with their parents. Stella said she is just excited to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without feeling like she has to rush into work.
“I’ll miss the people obviously,” said Stella. “I’ll miss a lot of the employees…there are a few that drive me crazy, but I will miss most of them for sure.”
The restaurant will be sold to the owner of the building, Steve Wahrlich. The Zieglers have been renting their restaurant space from him since they moved into the location 13 years ago. Wahrlich also owns the Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn, which connects to Stella’s.
Stella said the restaurant is in good hands with Wahrlich, and once things settle down, they will join their old regulars for breakfast.
“I think we will stay away for a little while because it will have to settle down,” said Stella. “Then I will wait in line just like everybody else.”
